Dan is a native Californian who has lived in Ventura since childhood. He is a professor emeritus at California State University Channel Islands where he served in a variety of roles including Professor of Political Science and Interim Provost.  While at CSUCI he studied public lands, developed a course on national parks, and played a key role in establishing the Santa Rosa Island Research Station.  Dan received his A.B. in Political Science from Occidental College, a Master of Public Administration from CSU Northridge, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.  

Dan is a lifelong hiker and cyclist who grew up exploring the trails in Ventura County and the Sierras. Among his volunteer activities he, and his wife Joanne, serve as a naturalists with the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary.